The next day, Fu Yunmo felt she had slept for far too long. Her bones felt stiff, and she felt a desperate urge to move. Early that morning, she asked Xiao Yu’er to support her as she walked to the courtyard for a stroll.
Mornings in the courtyard were as busy as ever, with everyone rushing through their morning wash, while Fu Yunmo sat alone on a bench, draped in an outer cloak.
“Sister Mo! Is your injury alright?”
Nan Kunlun ran over the moment he spotted her. Seeing the boy’s wide, bright grin, Fu Yunmo smiled back. “What could be wrong? It’s just a scratch.”
Before Nan Kunlun could offer more concern, Zhang the Pockmarked, who was passing through the courtyard, let out a cold snort. “Some people have all the luck. Having Goddess Mo personally ask the Boss for their leave—a tiny scratch and she gets half a month off! If the wound were any bigger, I suppose she’d take half a year, eh?”
Zhang’s words were venomous. Nan Kunlun started to snap back, but Fu Yunmo stopped him; there was no sense in arguing with a mad dog.
However, Fu Yunmo’s silence was witnessed by Mo Lixi, who had just arrived at the courtyard to visit her.
“Sir, do you perhaps wish to take half a year of leave yourself? I believe I can be of assistance with that,” Mo Lixi said.
She lightly rested her hand on the hilt of the sword at her waist. At the sight of her, Zhang Pockmark’s face went pale. He scurried away instantly. Seeing him flee with his tail between his legs, both Nan Kunlun and Fu Yunmo burst into laughter.
“Greetings, Goddess Mo,” Nan Kunlun said, cupping his fists. Mo Lixi gave him a slight nod, her eyes soon settling on Fu Yunmo.
“You should be careful when walking about; don’t make any sudden movements that might strain the wound,” Mo Lixi murmured.
This gentle concern made Fu Yunmo feel a bit flustered. Her face flushed as she replied, “I know, I’m not a three-year-old child~”
“Hahaha! That’s the first time I’ve seen Sister Mo look so embarrassed!” Nan Kunlun teased.
“Brat, if it weren’t for helping you, would I even have this injury?” Fu Yunmo shot him a glare. This kid is actually mocking me now!
“True, Sister Mo. For your great kindness, I would go through fire and water to repay you!” Nan Kunlun’s proclamation was exaggerated, but it satisfied Fu Yunmo. In the novel, Nan Kunlun was a man of his word who always repaid his debts; his character design was solid. She didn’t doubt his sincerity and felt that having him as a friend was a good thing.
“Actually, Master Ning asked me to come check on you,” Mo Lixi added. Noticing a flash of disappointment in Fu Yunmo’s eyes, she quickly continued, “Of course, I was also worried about your condition, so I came of my own accord.”
As expected, a small smile tugged at Fu Yunmo’s lips. “Thank you. So, how is the Martial Arts Assembly going?”
Before Mo Lixi could answer, Nan Kunlun chimed in. “Because of the Twin Demons incident, the assembly was temporarily suspended. But after we got you settled, Goddess Mo truly swept the field! She defeated all the heroes!”
“Brother Nan, that is quite an exaggeration,” Mo Lixi said with a light chuckle. How can this man be so flamboyant with his words? “I only won by a stroke of luck. One wrong move and I would have been defeated.”
Fu Yunmo looked at Mo Lixi and Nan Kunlun and smiled to herself. Are the male and female leads finally developing feelings for each other? But for some reason, she felt a subtle, inexplicable pang in her heart.
Just then, Ning Buqu arrived with a young girl. Fu Yunmo had caught a glimpse of her during the chaos—it was Ning Min’er.
She was delicate with bright, soulful eyes, dimples when she smiled, and a complexion like peach blossoms. She was a vibrant young beauty. However, after seeing the true faces of Mo Lixi and Ye Xihan, Fu Yunmo found Min’er somewhat ordinary, though she possessed a youthful innocence that the other two lacked.
“Sister Fu, you’re awake!” Ning Min’er ran over and crouched beside Fu Yunmo, grasping her hand with affectionate warmth.
Fu Yunmo found the physical contact a bit difficult to handle, as she generally disliked being touched, but given Min’er’s enthusiasm, she couldn’t bring herself to pull away. She could only respond with a polite smile.
“Um… you are… Lady Hero Ning, I assume?” Fu Yunmo’s heart felt complicated looking at the girl whose role she was originally supposed to play. Min’er was even more naive and passionate than she had imagined.
“Just call me Min’er!”
Min’er pulled a hair hairpin from her sleeve. It was finely crafted with a faint scent of pear blossoms. It wasn’t an expensive treasure, but the sentiment was clear. Fu Yunmo, always observant, noticed small nicks on Min’er’s fingers and realized the girl had carved it herself.
“Thank you, Min’er. I’m just glad you’re safe; you didn’t need to give me a gift.”
Fu Yunmo never thought she’d hear herself say something so sentimental; she almost made herself laugh.
“I absolutely had to!” Min’er insisted, tucking the pin into Fu Yunmo’s hair. She giggled, “Sister Fu, you look so beautiful!”
In truth, Fu Yunmo was several degrees more beautiful than Ning Min’er, possessing a wisdom and effortless grace that the younger girl lacked.
“Then I shall thank you.”
“It is I who should thank you! Oh, and Father has something to say to you.” Min’er remembered her father standing behind her. If she dawdled any longer, he would likely scold her later. “Brother Nan!”
Min’er turned to look at Nan Kunlun. The boy blushed, and Min’er blushed right back.
Ah, young love… Wait! That’s not right! Fu Yunmo thought. Nan Kunlun is supposed to be with Mo Lixi!
She glanced at Mo Lixi, who was watching the two of them with a faint smile… was that a look of blessing? Meow? What went wrong with the plot?
“Miss Fu, I actually have something to discuss with you,” Ning Buqu said, cupping his hands. He stood with an aura of righteous authority, yet remained perfectly polite. Fu Yunmo finally understood what a true Grandmaster of a sect looked like.
“Please, Master Ning.”
“Both you and Brother Nan possess such heroic hearts. I wish to invite you both to join my sect. I shall personally instruct you in martial arts to repay the debt of saving my daughter.”
Fu Yunmo’s smile froze on her face. What kind of strange developments am I hearing now? She instinctively looked at Mo Lixi. Mo Lixi seemed equally surprised; she clearly hadn’t known Ning Buqu had this plan.
“I have already discussed this with Brother Nan,” Ning Buqu continued. “But he said that you are his closest friend and he treats you like an elder sister. He says he must follow your lead.”
Fu Yunmo turned to Nan Kunlun, who was looking at her with earnest eyes. Dammit, Nan Kunlun, you’re a world-class buck-passer…
She looked back at Mo Lixi. The woman was staring at her, those soul-capturing eyes filled with a certain urgency… a desperate desire for Fu Yunmo to refuse.
“Ahem… Master Ning.” Fu Yunmo felt her scalp tingle. To be personally tutored by one of the top five masters in the world was an incredible offer! But… she couldn’t go. Not after seeing Mo Lixi’s expression.
“I honestly don’t think I have the talent, and I’ve grown accustomed to a wild, free life. I only want to live a quiet existence. But Nan Kunlun is different. If he joins your sect, he will surely achieve great things.”
If she didn’t join, she’d lose her connection to the protagonist! Would she have to switch to the female lead’s side?
“I see… and what of Brother Nan’s decision?”
All eyes turned to Nan Kunlun. Fu Yunmo caught a glimpse of the smile at the corners of Mo Lixi’s eyes—it was faint, but it was there.
“I must also decline Master Ning,” Nan Kunlun said with a smile, showing no hint of regret.
Fu Yunmo’s mind felt like it exploded. No, no, no! Nan Kunlun is supposed to join the Cangyun Sect! This isn’t how the story goes!!
“How… unfortunate,” Ning Buqu said. “Though we are not destined to be master and disciple, I am still willing to teach you both some self-defense moves as a token of my thanks.”
“That would be wonderful! Thank you, Master Ning!” Nan Kunlun agreed instantly. Fu Yunmo was dazed. If Nan Kunlun didn’t join the sect, how would the plot progress?
“Rest well, you two. The Cangyun Sect will stay for a few more days. Once Miss Fu’s injury has healed a bit more, I will come to fulfill my promise.”
Though clearly disappointed, Ning Buqu was not one to force others. After reminding Fu Yunmo to rest, he left with Ning Min’er. As Min’er left, she cast a lingering, tender glance back at Nan Kunlun—a look overflowing with affection.
“Nan Kunlun! Get out to the front hall! We’re swamped!” Zeng Dazhuang’s voice boomed. Nan Kunlun tensed up and turned to run.
“Coming! Sister Mo, make sure you rest well!”
As he bolted, Fu Yunmo muttered to herself, “Is that kid stupid…?”
It was then she realized Mo Lixi was still quietly watching her. “Um… Sect Leader Mo, I’ll rest well.” She expected more reminders, as she’d heard them until her ears rang over the last two days.
“…I could also teach you personally.”
“Huh?”
Meow meow meow? Before Fu Yunmo’s brain could process that, Mo Lixi had already turned and walked away. Fu Yunmo couldn’t even catch the expression on her face.
I could also teach you personally… Why did her bones suddenly feel so weak?
The courtyard finally grew quiet as everyone went about their business. Fu Yunmo walked back to her room; her shoulder was injured, not her legs, so walking was easy enough.
Back in her room, she poured a cup of tea, using the warmth to ward off the autumn chill. The plot was getting stranger by the minute. Why didn’t Nan Kunlun join the Cangyun Sect? Could her arrival have caused a butterfly effect that was changing the entire story?
She couldn’t worry about it anymore. Xiao Yu’er brought her food and changed her bandages on schedule. She wasn’t hungry, but she’d slept too much and couldn’t fall back asleep. She spent the afternoon reading books borrowed from the Boss, and before she knew it, night had fallen.
The books were mostly records of folklore and martial arts anecdotes, enough to kill time. By evening, she couldn’t sit still and wanted to stretch her limbs. she walked to the kitchen, hoping to find Chef Chen before he finished his shift to cook her some soup for a late-night snack. To her surprise, because there were few customers in the front hall, the kitchen had closed early and Chef Chen had already retired to his room.
Fu Yunmo stood before the kitchen, feeling the biting cold wind. I should have asked Xiao Yu’er first. A wasted trip…
Just as she was about to turn back, she heard a sharp, rapid sound of something slicing through the air!
“Who’s there?!”
Terrified, Fu Yunmo ducked into a corner.